Shoulder-brace.



T. G. BOWERS.

SHOULDER BRAGE.

APPLICATION FILED APL 1o, 191s.

1,093,379. l Patented Apr. 14, 1914. l

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH Cc.,w^sHlNuToN, D. c.

THOMAS G. BOWERS, F NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

SHOULDER-BRACE.

incassa To all whom it may concern.'

Be it lmown that I, THOMAS G. BOWERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Shoulder- Braces; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the characters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this application, and represent, in

Figure 1 a rear view of a shoulder brace constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 a detached view of one secf tion with the ends of the armhole section broken away.

This invention relates to an improvement in shoulder braces, and particularly to braces which comprise two sections provided with armholes and connected together by a series of lacings, the ends of which are attached to the end of belt straps. These shoulder braces are preferably formed from comparatively light weight cloth and are subject to considerable strain.

The object of this invention is to provide a reinforce for the body portion; and the invention consists in the construction hereinafter described and particularly recited in the claims.

In carrying out my invention, I employ two back-sections 2, 3, preferably connected together at their lower edge by a binding 4 and provided at their `adjacent edges with lacing strips 5 formed with eyelets 6 through which lacings 7 are passed. rlhe ends of these lacings are respectively secured to the ends of belt straps 8 and 9 the free ends of which are secured together in the usual way. Each section is provided with an armhole formed by an extension 10 from the upper edge of each section, and an underarm extension 11 continuing from the lower edge of each section. The outer ends of these sections are connected together so as to complete the armhole. Extending from the lacing strips 5 and 6 and starting preferably about midway thereof, are reinforcing stays 12 and 13. The upper edges of these stays extend in a slightly curved line from the lacing strips to the armholes, while .the lower edges extend in a curved line into the lower edge of each back-section at a Specification of Letters Patent. Application led April 10, 1913.

Patented Apr 14h, 1914. Serial No. 760,209.

point below the armhole partially around which the stay extends. Preferably and as shown, belt-retaining loops 14 and 15 will be provided, these loops extending from the lower edge of the stays to the lower edge of the baci -sections parallel with the lacing strips and free except at their ends so as to provide loops beneath which the belt straps 8 and 9 extend. By providing reinforcing stays 12 and 13 as shown, two thicknesses of material are provided at the point where the greatest strain occurs; or, in other words, transmit the strain imposed by the arm straps to the lacing strips, thus allowing the remaining portion of the braces to be formed from comparatively light material.

I claim l. A shoulder brace comprising two back sections each including an arm hole, said sections provided at their adjacent edges with lacing strips, lacings extending from said strips, belts with which the respective ends of the lacings are connected, and reinforcing stays connected with said back sections and extending at their upper edges from the lacing strips forward to the rear of the arm holes and at their lower edges from the -said lacing strips forward and downward to the lower edge of said sections beneath said arm holes said reinforces also extending forward and upward in front of the arm holes.

2. A shoulder brace comprising two back sections each including an arm hole, said sections provided at their adjacent edges with lacing strips, lacings extending from said strips, belts with which the respective ends of the lacings are connected, reinforcing stays connected with said back sections and extending from the lacing strips forward and downward to the lower edge of said sections beneath said arm holes, said reinforces also extending forward and up ward in front of the arm holes1 and loops extending from said stays to the lower edges of the sections forward of the lacing strips, and substantially parallel therewitl In testimony whereof, I have signed this specication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THO S. G. BOVERS.

Witnesses:

FREDERIC C. EARLE, CLARA L. WEED.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

